Darren Bazeley will leave his role as All Whites head coach when his contract with New Zealand Football expires at the end of 2026.
The decision ends a four-year tenure in which Bazeley guided New Zealand to their first FIFA Men’s World Cup appearance since 2010.
Bazeley has revealed he wanted to continue in the role but accepts New Zealand Football’s decision to appoint a new coach.
“While I would have definitely been keen to be involved for the next cycle, I understand this is a football decision by New Zealand Football and ultimately we didn’t get the results we wanted,” Bazeley said in a statement.
“I believe we have been building something really exciting over the last four years with a young squad of players.”
Main photo: Darren Bazeley … leaves his role after four years. Photo credit: Harriet Lander – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images.
Bazeley’s tenure included victories against African champions Côte d’Ivoire and Chile, whom the All Whites beat 4-1 at Eden Park in March.
He also handed 17 players their senior international debuts while developing a squad that came close to reaching the World Cup knockout stages.
“It has been an honour to be All Whites head coach for the last four years and I’m immensely proud of what we have achieved as a team,” Bazeley said.
New Zealand Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell thanked Bazeley for his contribution to the national team and development of young players.
“The number of young players he has brought through, the relationships he has with the team as well as the team culture he has helped to build, will lay the foundations of this side for years to come,” Pragnell said.
Bazeley previously coached New Zealand’s U-17, U-20 and U-23 teams and served as All Whites assistant under Anthony Hudson and Danny Hay.
His final assignments will be November’s two-match home series against India, starting at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium on November 12.
The second match, on November 15, will be the first international football fixture at Christchurch’s new One New Zealand Stadium.
New Zealand Football say details of the process to recruit Bazeley’s successor will be announced in due course.
This story was first published on October 24, 2026.